The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Lawyer on the lam may be "armed and dangerous"

The FBI has issued a 'Wanted' notice for a Broward County
lawyer accused in a $19 million fraud — declaring him "armed and
dangerous" — after he failed to show up for an April 29 court hearing.Michael Ralph Casey, 67, of Oakland Park, has been missing for two weeks, according to the FBI in Miami.
Casey
was indicted in August 2012 on federal mail and wire fraud conspiracy
charges for his alleged involvement in what prosecutors said was an
international investment scheme that defrauded more than 700 investors
out of approximately $19 million in less than 18 months.
Federal
prosecutors said that Casey, who practiced law in Fort Lauderdale for 36
years, conspired with two convicted felons to defraud investors. Casey
was once the chairman of the Broward County Bar Association's Corporation, Banking and Business Law Section and had worked for several well-known law firms.
Casey
"should be considered armed and dangerous," according to FBI officials.
Anyone with information about him should contact their local FBI office
or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
FBI spokesman Michael
Leverock said the warning was issued for the safety of any law
enforcement officer or member of the public who comes into contact with
Casey because agents were told that Casey may have access to a firearm.
"We
also believe that anyone who flees while their case is going through
the court process can be considered desperate," Leverock said.

The Southern District of Florida blog was started by David Oscar Markus, who is a criminal trial and appellate lawyer in Miami, Florida. He frequently practices in federal courts around the country, including his hometown, the Southern District of Florida and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a former law clerk to then-Chief Judge of the District, Edward B. Davis.